What he lacked in aplomb and bedside manner, he more than made up for in timing and strategy.

It was a bit strange - even uncomfortable - to see the superintendent asking for a contract extension before the new coat of paint he's attempting to apply to the school district is even dry.

We've seen him pinball from Stockton (Lincoln Unified) to Hemet and back to Stockton (Stockton Unified) in a very short period. You wonder why now - now? - would be the time he'd ask for a three-year contract extension.

But then you look at the entity he is leading and it makes sense.

He's directing a 37,000-student district with myriad challenges, in a land where you never know where you'll stand with the next 4-3 school-board vote.

Lowder's request makes sense in a district that has seen six leadership changes in less than seven years.

From appearances and comments from many levels, he's arrived in town and hit the proverbial ground running. He's taken advantage of some stability infused by the most recent leadership and is busy moving forward with student-based initiatives.

Lowder, 61, asked for a three-year extension. It was approved on Tuesday, of course by a 4-3 vote. He now can operate with a long-term vision, not having to worry about whether the next whim of a board could flip that 4 into a 3, and vice versa.

Part 2 of what the superintendent sought is more troubling. He wanted his annual pay raised from $225,000 to $230,000. Essentially, that would put him on par with the salary of predecessor Carl Toliver, who retired - again - last year after coming back to help give SUSD some badly needed stability.

Toliver helped steady a listing ship, rocked by the failed superintendent tenures of Jack McLaughlin and Tony Amato. He was worth every penny spent to get the district back on solid footing (not to mention decades of service to the district).

And, yet, here was Lowder asking for $5,000 more a year essentially so he can be on even footing with Toliver.

It comes across as petty. He should have been satisfied - more than satisfied, in fact - with the three-year contract extension that gives him security and enables him to push forward with long-term goals.

Lowder certainly could have muddled by at $225K a year. It probably would have sat better with teachers and staff, who have been stymied in regards to progressing with salaries and benefits.

But the raise, too, was approved. So onward.

At the risk of sounding repetitive, the future of the city of Stockton is going to largely be decided by the future of Stockton Unified. If SUSD succeeds, and thrives, then expect the following to happen:

» Graduation rates will go up;

» Crime will go down;

» Stockton's image will improve;

» Large employers will take a more serious look at locating here;

» The overall quality of life will improve.

That's what's at stake for SUSD. Trustee Gloria Allen puts it well: "We did what we had to do. We need to move the district forward. We're on a roll."

Lowder's approach hopefully will continue to serve SUSD well. He seems to have his focus in the correct place - on the students and their families.

"I got into education to try to make a difference in the lives of kids," he told Record education reporter Roger Phillips last week. "The things we're doing now are some of the most exciting things I've done in the last 25 years. We're seeing some things being put into place that are going to be very beneficial for kids."

All those challenges and opportunities that Lowder says satisfies him are right there in front of him. For the next several years, we should not hear the words "contract" or "pay" as issues for the superintendent and school board.

Contact Record Editor Mike Klocke at (209) 546-8250 or mklocke@recordnet.com.